Survey: Mexico Leads Emerging Economies in Life Satisfaction Index

People in Latin American countries are much more satisfied with life than their counterparts in other emerging nations, according to a survey from Pew Research. Mexico tops the list of emerging economies, with 79% of Mexicans saying they are content with life.

In 12 of the 24 emerging markets, at least half rate their life satisfaction highly. “Latin American publics are the most content, with roughly two-thirds or more in Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil saying they are doing well,” says the report.

Argentines and Peruvians are also considerably happier today than they were in 2002.

Largely due to political and social upheaval, people in the Middle East are dissatisfied with their current life situation. Despite peace and gradually improving economic conditions, Spaniards are increasingly feeling dissatisfied with life.

Researchers have said that higher incomes can only improve “perceived well-being” for a while. “Looking back to 2002, the increase in life satisfaction is substantial in Turkey, Argentina and Mexico.”

In Chile, 56% of respondents said they were satisfied with life, an increase of 12% in the number of respondents feeling content, while 66% of Argentinians and 73% of Brazilians said they were happy with life.

The survey also found that emerging and developing publics prioritize a few key essentials in life, including their health, their children’s education and being safe from crime.

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According to the survey, a large majority of Latin Americans are content with respect to family life and health. Their only dissatisfaction is with the “neighborhood safety”.

Narayan Ammachchi

News Editor for Nearshore Americas, Narayan Ammachchi is a career journalist with a decade of experience in politics and international business. He works out of his base in the Indian Silicon City of Bangalore.

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